As professors in Huntsman Hall adjust their electronic podiums to prepare for an in-class video teleconference, their colleagues a few blocks down the street still struggle to present simple PowerPoint lectures.
After decades of enduring dilapidated and inadequate facilities, Penn's English and Music departments still await a renovated building to call their permanent home.
"It's shabby and embarrassing for this to go on year after year after year," Associate English Department Chairman James English said. "But I recognize that it's hard to find the money."
The repairs slated for Bennett Hall, into which the Music Department also plans to move from its current 34th Street home -- also badly in need of renovations -- will cost $18 million, according to School of Arts and Sciences Dean Samuel Preston. Thus far, the University has raised approximately $6 million.
"We're about a third of the way there," Preston said, explaining that the University is waiting for a large donation, most likely a naming gift. "I wish we were all the way, but we're not."
Penn concluded a feasibility study two years ago to determine the needs of Bennett Hall, which was originally built in 1924 to provide educational amenities for women at the University. Since that study, the campus has witnessed the completion of some high-dollar facilities, leaving English and Music students and faculty frustrated.
"I feel the way everybody else feels," English Professor David Espey said. "I wish we had facilities in such good order."
"The University should see renovations of SAS buildings as its highest priority," English said. "It makes a bad impression on students and parents.... The College is the heart of the University."
English noted that the root of the financial dilemma is that the College's endowment is significantly smaller than those of Penn's other schools.
"We don't have the same donors as Wharton and Annenberg," English said.
Last month, the Annenberg Foundation granted the Annenberg School for Communication -- which was remodeled only eight years ago -- $100 million for improvements including classroom renovations.
Officials say there is no telling when Bennett Hall's necessary funds will turn up, and the English and Music departments may have to wait several more years for the projected improvements, which include a new heating and air-conditioning system, elevators, sound-insulated windows, music rehearsal space, a computer lab and new offices and classrooms.
"I'd hope we get the bulk of funds two years from now," Preston said.
Over the years, professors and students have lamented Bennett Hall's poor electrical wiring, termite infestations, lack of computers and elevators, intrusive street noise and cramped classrooms and teaching assistant offices.
"There have been problems with leaks and heating, and the bathrooms need work," Espey said. "They do spot repairs when needed, but it's an old building."
Bennett Hall also lacks up-to-date audio visual equipment and internet wiring, and English said that renovation plans are in fact hindering the implementation of short-term solutions.
"As long as that's hanging over us, it's preventing us from making small scale upgrades," English said. "Everyone says, oh, that has to wait until the big renovation."
The music building, first constructed in 1892, similarly does not meet the needs of the department, which has tolerated overcrowded classrooms, shoddy rehearsal space and out-of-date technology.
"The music building's even worse than ours," English said. "It's a disaster."
He added that he believes Bennett Hall requires more work than the University expects.
"I'm no expert, but my sense is that you need more than $18 million," English said.
Bennett Hall currently houses Penn's English Language Programs for non-English speakers, and when the building is renovated, the programs will be forced to move out.
"We anticipate it will move into a refurbished music building," Preston said.
He estimated that remodeling the current music building will cost about $6 million.
